How to Set Your Rates as a Virtual Assistant: A Guide to Earning What You Deserve
You’re hustling to build a better life for your family, and let me just say—I love that for you! Balancing the beauty (and chaos) of homesteading with raising kids AND starting your own virtual assistant (VA) business? That’s no small feat, but I know you’ve got the grit to make it happen.
Let’s talk about something super important: charging your worth. Setting the right rates as a VA might seem intimidating, especially when you’re just starting out. Do you lowball to attract clients? Charge high but worry about scaring people off? We’re going to erase that confusion today!
This guide is all about helping you understand how to set your rates as a virtual assistant confidently without undervaluing yourself. By the end of this post, you’ll know how to price your services fairly, negotiate rates, and feel good about what you’re bringing to the table. Sound good? Let’s jump in.
Why Your Rates Matter
Setting your rates is about so much more than just picking a number. Your rate speaks volumes about how you value your time, skills, and expertise—and it’s how clients will perceive your value, too.
And let me bust a big myth right now: Charging low just to win clients isn’t the move. Sure, you might book a few jobs, but underpricing your services often attracts clients who don’t value your work—or worse, they’ll overwork you.
You can attract amazing clients without underpricing yourself! In fact, clients who value your work will happily pay what you’re worth. (That's the dream, right?)
Think of it like your homesteading: When you’re selling your farm-fresh eggs or veggies, you wouldn’t price them dirt-cheap because you know the love, labor, and quality that went into producing them. Your VA work? Same thing. You’re not just offering “tasks”—you’re helping businesses save time and scale. Value that.
Getting Started: Understanding the Basics
First up, let’s talk about the work you might be doing as a virtual assistant. There are so many possibilities!
If you’re aiming to become a virtual assistant for Amazon influencers, kudos to you because this is a hot niche right now! These influencers need help with everything from creating polished storefronts to finding trending products, and creating lots of content! Here’s a breakdown of some services you might offer:
Product sourcing (finding trending products to recommend).
Keyword research (the secret for getting Amazon storefronts seen).
Managing influencer brand deals and collabs.
Watching for deals (everyone loves a good discount, right?).
Planning + creating content—because even influencers need help with emails, social media, blogs and beyond!
But Amazon isn’t the only option! The VA world is packed with niches. Pairing your interest in virtual assistant jobs with tools and systems you love can help you explore other niches:
Email Marketing VA: Design emails, and lead magnets, build automations, and create sales funnels.
Copywriting/Content Writing VA: Write blogs, scripts, website copy, and captions.
Social Media Management VA: Create posts, edit reels, schedule content, and build engagement strategies.
Content Creation: Make product collages, and graphics, and even assist with social media and email tasks.
Each niche may have slightly different rates depending on complexity and skill demand … which leads us straight to the next step: research.
Research First: What Are Other VAs Charging?
Now comes the fun detective work! Before settling on your rates, do your homework. Knowing what others charge—both in your niche and for your skill level—will help you stay competitive while still pricing confidently. Here’s how to find those numbers:
Where to Look:
Freelancing Platforms: Head to sites like Upwork, Fiverr, or Freelancer. Search for tasks or niches you’re interested in and check out what beginners charge versus pros with more experience.
VA Networking Groups: Facebook communities like "Virtual Assistant Savvies" or LinkedIn groups are great platforms for more information on rate conversations. You can post questions like, “What rates are you seeing for [specific task] as a beginner?”
VA Coaches/Mentors: Follow someone you trust in the VA space. Many coaches happily share insights on current, competitive rates.
Ballpark Starting Rates:
Here’s an idea of average rates you can aim for when starting out:
General VAs: $15–$20/hour when handling tasks like scheduling, email management, data entry, etc.
Specialized VAs (social media, email marketing, copywriting, Amazon, etc.): $20–$25/hour. Advanced skills = higher pay!
Mid-Level VAs (3–5 years): $25–$50/hour for more strategic roles like copywriting, content management, or social media growth.
Experienced VAs (5+ years): $50–$75/hour or more if managing entire teams or projects.
Tip: You can always adjust your rates based on experience, niche, and results you deliver.
Hourly vs. Retainer Rates: What’s the Difference?
Next, let’s break down the two main ways to charge clients.
Hourly Rates
Perfect if you're just dipping your toes into VA life or working with clients who don’t have consistent workloads.
Example: If a client wants help "as needed" with Amazon sourcing, storefront updates, or social media posts.
When to Increase: Once you’ve proven your value (e.g., boosted someone's Amazon sales by 20%), it’s time to nudge that rate up!
Retainers (Flat Monthly Rates)
With a retainer, clients pay a fixed amount every month for a set scope of work. This is a great option for predictable income AND building long-term relationships.
Example: “I’ll handle X weekly Amazon tasks for $X/month” or “I’ll create X social media posts + scheduling for $X.”
How to Decide Your Starting Rates
Here’s the step-by-step process for arriving at the perfect number for you:
Assess Your Skills: Be honest about what you bring to the table. Do you feel confident with advanced tasks, or are you still learning the ropes? Your starting range will reflect this.
Research Average Rates: (Refer to the section above—it’s your cheat sheet!).
Calculate Your Financial Goals: Take your monthly income target and divide it by the number of hours you realistically want to work. For example: If you need $2000/month working 20 hours a week, you’d need to charge at least $25/hour.
Start on the lower end of your ideal range to build momentum, but don’t stay there forever. As you gain experience and success, it’s time to climb that pricing ladder!
Communicating Your Rates
It’s normal to feel a little nervous about sharing your rates with clients—especially in the beginning. Here’s how to own it confidently:
Use straightforward phrases like: “Based on the support you’re looking for, my rate is ___.”
Frame your pricing as an investment, not just a cost. Let them see how you’re supporting their growth.
If someone pushes back? Stay calm and professional: “I understand if that’s out of budget right now. I’d love to connect again when the timing feels right for you!”
How to Increase Your Rates Over Time
Here’s when (and how) to confidently bump those numbers up:
Mastered new skills or tools like project management software? Time to raise those rates!
Show metrics to back up your value: “I increased my client’s Amazon sales by 37% last quarter.”
Offer loyal clients a heads-up (30-60 days is fair) and a smooth transition plan (e.g., “Your current rate is locked in for the next three months while we switch to my new retainer model”).
Don’t Undervalue Yourself
I know you’ve got a full plate: running your family, your home, and your budding business—maybe even keeping a flock of chickens happy in the mix! But when you set fair rates as a virtual assistant, you’re not just honoring the value of your skills—you’re also protecting your time and energy. That’s key to making this work sustainable for you and your family.
Now, I get it—figuring out how to set your rates as a virtual assistant can seem tricky at first. But trust me, you’ve got this! Thoughtful pricing helps you attract clients who respect your time and expertise. When you nail this, you can hit your financial goals while still having the freedom to enjoy your homesteading life—and that’s the dream, right? You’re worth every penny, so don’t let fear stop you from earning what you truly deserve!
Have questions about pricing your VA services? Drop them in the comments—I’d love to hear from you! Don’t forget to check out my latest blog, Top Tools and Platforms for Supporting Amazon Influencers as a Virtual Assistant, or swing by the blog for even more VA resources and inspo.
